The Star Wars Issue #3 Explores George Lucas’ First-Draft Universe: Today In Science & Science Fiction
If you’re not much of a comics reader, you still might want to track down copies of Dark Horse’s The Star Wars, because it’s a singularly intriguing look at what Star Wars might have been had Lucas’ original vision of the tale been put to film. This was an entirely different galaxy far, far away, one first envisioned in Lucas’ first draft in 1974. There are familiar elements, sure: a rebellion, some evil Sith Lords, even a guy named Skywalker. But he’s General Skywalker, a powerful Jedi in the Obi-Wan mold. He serves as friend and mentor to Annikin Starkiller, a brash young sort who sounds like a mix between the original trilogy’s Luke and Han Solo. Except Solo is in The Star Wars too, but he’s a big lizard. Trippy.
Dark Horse’s The Star Wars is adapting that rough draft into an eight-issue comic miniseries. If you haven’t checked it out, fear not: issue #3 hits stands today, so you can still catch up for the rest if you want. Although with a limited series like this, I’d actually just wait and read the eventual collected edition. If you simply must have it, you can buy digital copies of the series via Dark Horse’s online store. And here’s a trailer!
TODAY IN TELEVISION
Revolution (NBC, 8/7c) — “The Patriot Act”
MILES AND COMPANY ARE TRAPPED IN WILOUGHBY – When Rachel (Elizabeth Mitchell) discovers some unsettling truths, Miles (Billy Burke) does what he does best to overcome obstacles before him and those he cares about. Meanwhile, Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos) shares a moment with her mom as Neville (Giancarlo Esposito) and Jason (JD Pardo) continue with their struggles between father and son.
Nova (PBS, 9/8c) — “Making Stuff Safer”
The world has always been a dangerous place, so how do we increase our odds of survival? In Making Stuff: Safer, David Pogue explores the cutting-edge research of scientists and engineers who want to keep us out of harm’s way. Some are countering the threat of natural disasters with new firefighting materials and safer buildings. Others are at work on technologies to thwart terrorist attacks.
The Tomorrow People (The CW, 9/8c) — “All Tomorrow’s Parties”
FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO PARTY — After Stephen (Robbie Amell) breaks Ultra protocol during a training exercise, Jedikiah’s (Mark Pellegrino) mysterious boss insists on meeting Stephen. Stephen grows concerned when he learns Jedikiah is unable to protect him, so he turns to John (Luke Mitchell), who is only interested for selfish reasons. Elsewhere, the Tomorrow People are desperate to go topside to a party like normal people, but John and Cara (Peyton List) disagree on the dangerous plan. Meanwhile, Stephen makes a plan to go to Homecoming with Astrid (Madeleine Mantock), but when he bails on her once again, she decides to find out what he is really up too.
TODAY IN COMICS
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #10 (IDW Publishing)
Our yearlong celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary continues! Brilliant! The Tenth Doctor takes the spotlight in this issue of a 12-part epic adventure featuring all 11 incarnations of the Doctor. The Doctor brings Martha to 1950s Los Angeles and the Griffith Observatory to give her a glimpse of Gallifrey, but soon encounters a film crew whose members are mysteriously disappearing!
Protectors, Inc. #1 (Image Comics)
A new series from Babylon 5’s J. Michael Straczynski!
Protectors, Inc.: Heroes in a world without super-powered bad guys. Heroes with corporate sponsors and far too polite rivalries and sporting franchises. Heroes without anything or anyone to fight…until one of them is murdered in ways that could only have been accomplished by someone with equal powers.
Solving the mystery falls to Lieutenant Detective John Riley, an ordinary man whose investigation takes him into a strange and dangerous world light years beyond his abilities to understand and very likely far beyond his capacity to survive. The trail leads to a fifty-year-old secret that could threaten the very existence of Protectors, Inc., an impossible love affair, and a serial killer whose work is not yet finished.
The Star Wars #3 (Dark Horse Comics)
A Queen steps down! The Hidden Fortress destroyed! The Imperial army on the march!
Annikin Starkiller and Princess Leia rescue two wayward droids in the desert, Darth Vader recruits a famous Knight of the Sith to his army, and a squad of lazersword-wielding Stormtroopers attempt to arrest Jedi General Luke Skywalker!
